Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide | 
| Author: William Stanek
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $26.62
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Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 75937
Format: Illustrated
Media: Paperback
Pages: 942
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7.2 x 2
ISBN: 0596528000
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.446
EAN: 9780596528003
ASIN: 0596528000
Publication Date: February 26, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Whether you're a beginner, power user, or seasoned professional, Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide has everything you need to customize the operating system, master your digital media, manage your data, and maintain your computer -- regardless of which Windows Vista edition you're using. Why this book and not some other resource? Bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek doesn't just teach you the steps you need to follow, he also tells you how features work, why they work, and how you can customize them to meet your needs. You'll learn how to squeeze out every last bit of power out of Windows Vista, and how to make the most out of its features and programs, including how to:
- Set up, customize and tune Windows Vista - Optimize its appearance and performance; install, configure and maintain software; customize your hardware; and install printers, scanners and faxes
- Manage your files - Search your computer more efficiently; secure your files and data; share and collaborate; and get the most out of accessories such as the Mobility Center
- Master your digital media - Create media libraries with Media Player; manage digital pictures and videos with Photo Gallery; make DVDs with DVD Maker; and create movies with Movie Maker
- Get connected and start networking - Set up a home or small-office network; learn to use Windows Mail, Calendar, and Meeting Space; conquer Internet Explorer 7; and master on-the-go networking
- Protect your computer - Keep your family safe while on the Internet; set up parental controls and content ratings; navigate the computer security maze; configure Windows Vista's security features
- Manage and support Windows Vista systems - Deal with user accounts, disks and drives; handle routine maintenance and troubleshooting; and resolve advanced support and recovery issues
- Learn advanced tips & techniques - Manage the Windows boot environment, explore Group Policy, discover keyboard shortcuts, and much more
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Not for true IT professionals; should be titled "Windows Vista: The POWER USER's Guide" May 6, 2007
Rafael T. Dimas (San Diego, CA USA)
113 out of 128 found this review helpful
This is not a "definitive" guide of any sort. For an O'Reilly series book (especially with its title and book description), you'd expect a lot more technical information. This book contains WAY too much guidance with the "Hello and Welcome to Vista" type of approach and doesn't provide information regarding the true guts of Vista. This will make a fine doorstop.
 Finally - a truly excellent all around Vista book! March 5, 2007
Arlene Casey
50 out of 148 found this review helpful
I only recently got involved with Windows Vista, when work required that I shift gears from XP to Vista. Therefore I am not familiar with all of the nuances of Vista, and needed answers fast. I started with a dummies book to get my feet wet, and then grabbed this one as soon I saw it was out. In true William Stanek fashion, however, this book smoothly got me very familiar with the features of Vista, which I am finding to be a combination of visual elegance and the underlying stability of Windows, adding up to a very solid operating system that, quite truthfully, I was not expecting.
The book starts out explaining what you need to know to get started and use Vista, the user interface, and teaches some special characteristics and key combinations on Vista that are not well known. I really liked how the author drew the distinction between appearance and performance and what lies underneath Vista's graphical user interface. There are also helpful sections for the new Search function and Menus. The book explains how to use the included applications and utilities, and even goes as far as introducing all the multimedia apps from the point of view of an experience expert. I never really appreciated the power of the Vista multimedia applications until I read this section of the book. Stanek writes he been using Vista for 5 years, and it shows in the depth and scope of his advice. I never knew before I read this book that Vista had features for speech and handwriting recognition!
In Part 3 the discussion becomes more advanced, and networking and more advanced security and wireless-related topics are discussed. Part four is rounded out by chapters on support Vista which includes details on parental controls, accounts, internet safety, disk configuration, compression and encryption.
In Part Five, Advance Tips and Techniques, there are advanced chapters on the boot environment, security changes, and policies. There is a whole chapter with a very useful "master list" of keystroke combinations.
This book is immediately valuable for beginners to intermediates to pros and I think it has much to say. I notice Amazon does not show a table of contents, so I include that here:
Ch 1. Getting Started with Windows Vista
Ch 2. Optimizing Windows Vista's Interface
Ch 3. Fine-Tuning Windows Vista's Appearance and Performance
Ch 4. Installing, Configuring, and Maintaining Software
Ch 5. Customizing Your Computer's Hardware Devices
Ch 6. Mastering Windows Explorer and Searching Your Computer
Ch 7. Navigating the Web with Internet Explorer 7
Ch 8. Creating Your Media Library with Windows Media Player
Ch 9. Capturing and Managing Your Digital Pictures and Videos
Ch 10. Making Video DVDs and Movies
Ch 11. Securing and Sharing Your Data
Ch 12. Setting Up Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines
Ch 13. Making the Most of Your Computer's Accessories
Ch 14. Setting Up Your Network
Ch 15. Protecting Your Computer with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Ch 16. Using Windows Mail, Calendars, and Contacts
Ch 17. Mastering Dial-Up, Broadband, and On-the-Go Networking
Ch 18. Managing User Accounts and Parental Controls
Ch 19. Managing Disks and Drives
Ch 20. Handling Routine Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Ch 21. Getting Help and Handling Advanced Support Issues
Ch 22. Installing and Running Windows Vista
Ch 23. Exploring the Windows Boot Environment
Ch 24. Understanding Windows Vista Security Changes
Ch 25. Mastering Windows Media Center
Ch 26. Using Group Policy with Windows Vista
Ch 27. Navigating Windows Vista Policy Changes
Ch 28. Navigating Internet Explorer 7 Policies
Ch 29. Desktop Tips and Tricks with Keyboard Shortcuts
Get this book even before you get Vista March 14, 2007
Brett Merkey (Palm Harbor, FL United States)
32 out of 145 found this review helpful
People are not standing in long lines to buy Microsoft's new operating system. But we know, sooner or later, that most of us will be buying a new computer -- and it will likely come with Vista. I got this book because I wanted to know *before* I get that next computer just what I can expect with Vista and how Vista features could help (or hinder) the way I use computers.
This book is an excellent resource for cautious people like me. I was impressed with how quickly the author got past the basic intro material and kept the focus on the use value of Vista features. There is no "for dummies" talk here. The material is both extensive and is not aimed at a particular experience level. If you are like me, you may skip a bunch of chapters and home in on Ch. 23 with its details of the Boot Configuration Data Editor. Of course, if you are not like me, you may have stopped off at Ch. 13 to learn about the Snipping Tool.
There are plenty of screenshots and I found it reassuring that the author made a point of clarifying, when appropriate, the often confusing differences between the various editions of Vista.
The organization of the book makes it easy to focus in on your current interest and the book is indexed for more detailed searches. To sum up, this book is a valuable guide to new users *and* a reference for experienced Vista users.
920 pages packed with excellence! May 29, 2007
Ted Crace (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
6 out of 95 found this review helpful
William Stanek's pocket consultants are excellent - I've been a reader for years. In looking for a large reference for home, I saw this one - the definitive guide and chose it over Vista Inside Out and Vista Missing Manual. Stanek has a better style, and he understands the software better.
He once again is able to take technical topics and infuse clarity and depth while staying clearly focused. I have been running Vista since beta one, and this book is an excellent reference for those of us already familiar with the Windows operating systems.
In my opinion, this is an excellent book for all skill levels. Beginners will appreciate Stanek's ability to clearly and concisely explain even the most complex topics. The fact the book jumps right into the most important topics for home and office users doesn't hurt either.
Advanced users will find this book makes it easy to quickly get up to speed and to learn the new topics fast. Plus he writes in a friendly easy to understand language, so that you don't get lost in computer jargon. At the same time, he has a very organized and clear style. His details are never off topic and that's refreshing. His sense of what's important and what's not makes it possible for you to actually read the whole book and get all of the useful information out of it.
Pro users will find this book to be an excellent reference and regular reference. This isn't a book for administration though. Stanek's Vista ADministrator's Pocket Consultant is the best one for that.
This is THE MUST HAVE VISTA manual for the home and office. Thank you William Stanek for helping me get the most out of Vista!
Truly the definitive guide May 25, 2007
J. L. Katzenbach (Minnesota)
4 out of 98 found this review helpful
Should be the #1 choice for all user levels from beginner to pro! Stanek's Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant is the book I use every day for admin work. When I'm wanting to play with Windows Vista's multimedia features or tweak the interface, this is the book I reach for. I have a copy at home too. At 900+ pages, it is the best all-around guide I've found.
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